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Medicine without prescription?

Can you buy medicine without prescription? I'm a soon to be international student and would like to figure things out. In my country, a prescription allows you to buy medicine using the insurance (80% cheaper). How does that work in UK?
Original post by Fadel
Can you buy medicine without prescription? I'm a soon to be international student and would like to figure things out. In my country, a prescription allows you to buy medicine using the insurance (80% cheaper). How does that work in UK?


In the uk, you can buy some medications in pharmacies without a prescription, the rest are prescription only medicines and if you're allowed to use the nhs then it's £8.40 per item regardless of what it is.
Reply 2
Original post by Fadel
Can you buy medicine without prescription? I'm a soon to be international student and would like to figure things out. In my country, a prescription allows you to buy medicine using the insurance (80% cheaper). How does that work in UK?


Some medicines can be bought in a pharmacy without prescriptions while others need a doctor write you a prescription. Any prescription costs £8.40 unless you meet the requirements for free prescriptions or pay for prescriptions in advance.

Medicines that require a prescription usually can't be purchased any other way because they are controlled substances, but there are some you can get by prescription or over the counter. Things like painkillers and cold remedies can be bought at any pharmacy and most shops like Tesco.

Basically if you know what problem you have and what treatment you need, go to a pharmacy and ask if they can give you it. If you do not know what the problem is or you cannot get it from a pharmacy, make an appointment with a doctor. When you have a prescription you can collect it from a pharmacy and pay £8.40.


Is there any specific medication or type of medication you are wondering about?
Reply 3
Original post by Kindred
Some medicines can be bought in a pharmacy without prescriptions while others need a doctor write you a prescription. Any prescription costs £8.40 unless you meet the requirements for free prescriptions or pay for prescriptions in advance.

Medicines that require a prescription usually can't be purchased any other way because they are controlled substances, but there are some you can get by prescription or over the counter. Things like painkillers and cold remedies can be bought at any pharmacy and most shops like Tesco.

Basically if you know what problem you have and what treatment you need, go to a pharmacy and ask if they can give you it. If you do not know what the problem is or you cannot get it from a pharmacy, make an appointment with a doctor. When you have a prescription you can collect it from a pharmacy and pay £8.40.


Is there any specific medication or type of medication you are wondering about?


Thanks for your reply. Do antibiotics and stomach pills need a prescription?
Original post by Fadel
Thanks for your reply. Do antibiotics and stomach pills need a prescription?


Antibiotics -Yes , the ?sole ? exception is Chloramphenicol eye drops which are a Pharmacy Only medication . This will not change bcasue by doing this the UK has helped control it;s problems with antibiotic resistence.

define 'stomach pills' ...
Original post by claireestelle
In the uk, you can buy some medications in pharmacies without a prescription, the rest are prescription only medicines and if you're allowed to use the nhs then it's £8.40 per item regardless of what it is.


unless of course you buy a 'Season ticket ' ( which if you pay and are on 2 or more regular scripts you really ought to ... )

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx

or are exempted.


As an overseas student you need to check your situation with eligibility for NHS treatment and whether you are subject to the Immgration Health Service Surcharge. If you are none EEA and on a course over 6 months in duation you arelikely to be covered but may well have to pay the IHS at the time of applying for your Student visa and each year while you study in the UK .
Reply 6
Original post by zippyRN

define 'stomach pills' ...


Pancreatin, some enzymes, motilium. Something anti-inflammatory like nimisulide.
there are a variety of GI tract medications which may be available from pharmacies , and iirc domperidone is one of those.

If you have an ongoing GI tract condition, the GP is likely to wish to prescribe appropraite medication and monitor you , referring onto to Gastro as appropriate - this would all be covered under your eligibility for the NHS.

What you have to remember is that as has been stated above , if you are eligible for NHS treatment and are taking a number of medications on a regualr basis , a PPC may be the most appropriate route
Reply 8
Original post by Fadel
Thanks for your reply. Do antibiotics and stomach pills need a prescription?


Antibiotic tablets need a prescription, but you can get some antibiotics for minor ear or eye infections over the counter.

It would depend on the stomach pills. If you mean like Gaviscon for indigestion then no, they can be found at Tesco or a pharmacy along with some tablets like laxatives or stool hardeners. You can also get some treatments for IBS over the counter. If you mean for a specific condition you are diagnosed with it's more likely that you will need a prescription.

As somebody else pointed out though, you should look into the situation for overseas students as things may be a bit different for you. You'll still be able to get the same things off prescription, but I don't know if you will be able to register on the NHS or if prescription charges may be different for you. You can always ask the uni you will be going to for help with that.

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